WSL 2025/26 Campaign so far...

The Women’s Super League returned to action this week following a short mid-season winter break running from 22nd December to 4th January. Prior to the interval, Manchester City had established themselves as the pace-setters, sitting six points clear at the top of the table on 30 points ahead of reigning champions Chelsea, who have dominated the league for the past six seasons.

City head into the second half of the campaign in formidable form. A 10 game winning streak has seen them score 32 goals, overwhelming opponents with high pressing, fast-paced and fluid attacking football. Their consistency and intensity have made them the team to beat as the title race resumes.

Second-placed Chelsea, however, have not been as relentless as in previous seasons. They have already dropped nine points, three more than they did across the entirety of last season and suffered their first league defeat in 34 matches when they were beaten by Everton in early December. While still firmly in the title picture, Sonia Bompastor’s side will need to rediscover their usual dominance to close the gap to City.

Behind them the battle for Champions League qualification is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the season. Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham occupy third, fourth and fifth respectively, separated by just two points. With each side still due to play one another again, the race for the remaining European places promises plenty of twists and turns.

The middle of the table is equally congested. London City Lionesses (6th), Brighton (7th), Aston Villa (8th), Leicester City (9th) and Everton (10th) are separated by just seven points. A strong unbeaten run could see any of these teams push towards the European chasing pack, but a dip in form could just as quickly drag them into a relegation scrap.

At the foot of the table, the situation is increasingly concerning for Liverpool. Bottom and winless, they have collected just three points from their opening 11 matches a stark contrast to this time last season when they sat mid-table with 12 points. West Ham sit just above them on five points, struggling at both ends of the pitch. With only nine goals scored and a league-high 24 conceded, their inability to keep clean sheets has left them deeply involved in the relegation battle.

With 11 games remaining and a maximum of 33 points still available, there is everything to play for at both ends of the WSL table. Whether it’s the title race, the fight for Champions League qualification, or the battle for survival, the second half of the season promises drama, intensity and unpredictability in equal measure.

Game week 12 WSL Round up

Arsenal v Manchester United

Pictures: Top - Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, second middle - Matchday programme, third right - Arsenal warming up.

Pictures: Forth and fifth - Arsenal attack Manchester United

Last image/Bottom right - Score board displays final score 0 - 0 plus red card issued.

Arsenal 0 - v 0 Manchester United

Arsenal got the match underway in front of their home support, but it was Manchester United who carved out the first clear opening. In the fifth minute, striker Fridolina Rolfö rose highest to meet a cross, only for her powerful header to be finger tipped onto the crossbar by Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe.

That early scare seemed to galvanise the hosts. Arsenal soon took control of possession, patiently building attacks and repeatedly targeting United down the flanks. Chances followed for Mariona Caldentey, Olivia Smith, Kim Little and Alessia Russo, but finishing proved elusive with efforts either drifting off target or being well saved by the United goalkeeper.

Manchester United struggled to establish any sustained rhythm. Unable to string passes together or consistently win second balls, their frustration began to show. It was most evident when Jayde Riviere was shown a yellow card after charging through the back of summer signing and fellow Canadian Olivia Smith late in the first half. 20 minutes into the second half Riviere was booked for a second time and given her marching orders after a reckless challenge on Caitlin Foord. The somewhat shocked defender took her time to leave the pitch remonstrating with the officials but she had little ground to stand on and reluctantly left the pitch with her team down to ten players and an even more challenging task. Arsenal continued to press forward, cutting through United’s midfield and back line, but they could not find a way past United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. She stood firm as the last line of defence, preserving a valuable clean sheet and a hard-earned point for her side.

Despite dominating possession, playing against ten players, and being roared on by a staggering crowd of 37,000, Arsenal will need to be more clinical in front of goal. They were not short of chances, but the lack of converting them into goals may prove costly as they look to secure a Champions League spot. Manchester United, meanwhile, can take great encouragement from the performance, having travelled away from home, been reduced to ten players, and still managed to shut out the European champions.

Manchester City 2 v 0 Everton

Manchester City made it 11 straight victories in the WSL with a comfortable 2–0 win over Everton. The hosts scored once in each half and could have added many more from their 32 attempts on goal were it not for an outstanding performance from Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan. She produced a series of fine saves to deny City’s top scorer Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema on multiple occasions.

City took the lead in the 26th minute through Brazilian forward Kerolin whose shot from a tight angle deflected off Everton’s Fernandez and beat Brosnan. Fernandez thought she had quickly made amends moments later when she fired in from close range following an Everton corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on City goalkeeper Yamashita by Everton defender Mace; a real let-off for City, as there appeared to be very little in the challenge.

In the second half City continued where they left off, pinning Everton in their own half while adding flair and skill to their play. This was showcased in City’s second goal, as Shaw and Miedema combining well with the latter finishing from a wonderfully weighted chipped pass into her path from Shaw.

City never needed to get out of second gear, yet still created a host of chances, and will be encouraged by the fact that others can step up to score when Shaw is not on the scoresheet. Everton, meanwhile, will be relieved not to face City again this season. Despite conceding a high volume of shots, they enjoyed spells of possession but will need to be far more productive in the final third going forward.

Chelsea 5 v 0 West Ham

Chelsea returned to winning ways with a commanding 5–0 victory over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. The Blues were ahead inside 60 seconds when West Ham defender Endo turned the ball into her own net while attempting to clear from inside the six-yard box.

It was clear to see why West Ham had already conceded heavily before this match, as another defensive mix-up followed soon after. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold took too long in possession and blasted the ball into Lauren James with the rebound rolling into the back of the net. Chelsea’s third goal came through Alyssa Thompson, who cleverly redirected Kaneryd’s misplaced shot into the net. The hosts then made it 4–0 just a minute before half-time when Baltimore fired emphatically into the top corner from just inside the West Ham penalty area.

Baltimore grabbed her second of the game and completed the rout in the 70th minute, calmly slotting home a penalty after Asseyi was penalised for handball in the box. Chelsea will be pleased with their all-round team performance and the spread of goals as they continue to apply pressure on league leaders Manchester City, sending a clear message that the title race will be anything but straightforward.

West Ham will need to address their defensive issues as soon as possible in an effort to improve performances and lift morale.

Aston Villa 2 - 1 Brighton and Hove Albion

Aston Villa produced an impressive second-half comeback to defeat visitors Brighton at Villa Park after falling behind just 92 seconds into the match. The game got off to an unfortunate start for Villa when goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo misplaced a pass, gifting possession to Fuka Tsunoda, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

A shell-shocked Villa responded well and pushed hard for an equaliser, with captain Rachel Daly striking the crossbar and the post during a dominant first-half spell. Perseverance eventually paid off in the 57th minute when Daly headed home a Kendall free kick to draw Villa level. Just 92 seconds later Kirsty Hanson received a pass from Taylor, drove forward and unleashed a superb strike from 20 yards into the top corner to complete the turnaround and secure a 2–1 victory.

Villa will be pleased to have started 2026 with a win after ending 2025 with a heavy 6–1 defeat to Manchester City. They will now hope to build greater consistency in the second half of the campaign having so far failed to record back-to-back league victories. Brighton, meanwhile will be disappointed to let an early lead slip away.

Fan Voices from the 2025/26 WSL season

I'm looking forward to seeing who can challenge Chelsea this year.

Charlie May

London UK

I'm so excited to be here watching Arsenal against Manchester United as the Super League resumes. Come on Arsenal.

Ms Green

London, UK

★★★★★

★★★★★